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In some ways, a 9-month-old is the perfect Disney World companion. Watch that sweet face light up in excitement during the afternoon parade; then take a break from the crowd and the heat in a clean, quiet Baby Care Center. It also doesn't hurt that your baby won't require a ticket for any of the parks, a rare opportunity to save some money at Disney World. On the other hand, a 9-month-old is alert and attentive enough to find certain sights and sounds scary, and Disney's thrill rides are off-limits for safety reasons. Stick to the parks that offer plenty of low-key attractions, where it's easy to keep your baby entertained all day without sacrificing your own entertainment.

The Magic Kingdom

The heart of Disney World has no shortage of rides and shows that are appropriate for a 9-month-old. Many of the rides in Fantasyland are suitable for the youngest visitors, including it's a small world, Peter Pan's Flight and Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid. The Jungle Cruise, the Carousel of Progress, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and the boat ride to Tom Sawyer Island are all baby-friendly. The sights and sounds at the Haunted Mansion will frighten some babies, but since it has no drops or sudden moves, it's safe for infants. The park's sit-down shows, including Mickey's PhilharMagic and the Enchanted Tiki Room, are good choices too.

Epcot

Epcot might be Disney World's most baby-friendly park. It's divided into two halves. Future World, at the front of the park, is where most of the rides are located. In the World Showcase, 11 small lands – each devoted to a different country – circle a large lagoon. The World Showcase loop is a great place to walk and play with a baby. Stop to watch street performers and sit in the shade and look out over the water. Back in Future World, take your baby on the Living with the Land boat tour, sit in on the interactive Turtle Talk with Crush show, and take the slow ride up into the darkness of Spaceship Earth.

Hollywood Studios

If you're going to skip one park, make it Hollywood Studios. It has plenty of thrill rides for older guests, and Toy Story Land promises excitement for preschoolers and older kids, but the park is lacking in baby-friendly attractions. The Muppet*Vision 3D show is a hit with many youngsters, but baby has to wear 3D glasses to get the full effect of the show. Hollywood Studios is undergoing a lot of change and development, so it may be more appealing for parents with babies in the near future. But for now, it's not a great park for infants.

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is as captivating for a 9-month-old as it is for an adult. The park is visually enthralling and packed with all-ages activities. Take a short train ride out to Rafiki's Planet Watch, where kids can watch real veterinarians at work and visit a petting zoo. The Kilimanjaro Safaris can be a bumpy ride, but infants (and their parents) will be fascinated by all the not-so-wild animals they see up close. The park also has a variety of short trails that visitors can wander and explore as well as play areas and stage shows, all perfect for keeping a curious 9-month-old entertained.

Tips for Visiting Disney World With Babies

All four Disney parks have Baby Care Centers, a great resource for parents traveling with infants. These centers are free to use and have private nursing rooms, changing stations, kitchens and small stores that sell basic baby-care supplies. In the Magic Kingdom, the Baby Care Center is adjacent to the Crystal Palace at the castle end of Main Street. In Epcot, it's part of the Odyssey Center, near Mexico. Find the Baby Care Center just inside the main gates of Hollywood Studios and on Discovery Island in Animal Kingdom.

Tip

Parents who want to experience roller coasters and other thrill rides that aren't appropriate for babies should know about Disney's Rider Switch service. It's available on many of Disney World's most popular attractions like the Tower of Terror and Space Mountain. As long as your party includes two adults, you can use Rider Switch. When you reach the boarding area for the ride, one adult can board while the other stays behind with the baby. When the first adult returns, the second adult gets a turn. It's a genius policy, as long as you're armed with enough toys or other distractions to keep an active 9-month-old happy in a long line.

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About the Author

Kathryn Walsh has been writing about travel topics for more than 10 years, but has been feeding her inner travel bug for much longer. Her favorite place to visit is Scotland, and her work has appeared on sites including USAToday, AZCentral and Choice Hotels.

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